Regional Briefs – July 10, 2016

Poll: 4 in 10 NYers Won’t Vacation a Week This Summer

ALBANY – Forty-two percent of New Yorkers will not take a week’s vacation this summer, according to a Siena poll released Thursday. Of the 56 percent who will vacation for at least one week, most plan a road trip and are headed to the ocean. One in five are planning a vacation for two or more weeks.

18th Annual Cycle the Erie Canal Ride Begins

BUFFALO – The 18th annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour began Sunday in Buffalo. More than 650 cyclists from 38 states, as well as from as far away as Australia, are expected to participate in the 400-mile, eight-day tour of the Erie Canalway Trail. It concludes in Albany.

New jersey Town Backing Off Parking-Restriction Plan

DEAL, N.J. – Deal officials said Friday they are backing off from a proposal requiring parking permits on streets with beach access points, The Associated Press reported. The town said it had aimed to ease traffic, while residents said it caters to the owners of multi-million dollar homes at their expense.

Man Arrested in Mysterious Arson Spree in Camden

CAMDEN, N.J. – A man suspected of setting fires at 16 vacant homes in Camden over the July Fourth weekend was captured Thursday, The Associated Press reported. Charles Ricks, 44, was charged with multiple arson charges.

NJ Driver Owes More Than $78,000 to E-ZPass

NEW YORK – A New Jersey motorist was arrested Friday after failing to pay a Goethals Bridge toll — and police found he owes at least $78,000 to E-ZPass for 850 violations, The Associated Press reported. Spirodon Fragoulias’s truck was impounded and his E-ZPass was revoked.

Teen Boy Dies After Panic Attack While Swimming

FRANKLINVILLE, N.J. – A 16-year-old boy who had a panic attack while swimming on Thursday died early the next morning, the Courier-Post reported. Rescue workers pulled him from the water and administered CPR before transferring him to a Philadelphia hospital.